Good $ense Counselor Training Workshop Pre-Reading – PDF, 1.8MB, 16pgs

This should be read by those being trained as Counselors before attending the training.

Counselor Training Forms Available To Download

Click here to download or see the list of forms used in the Counselor Training materials (also available on the PowerPoint CD-ROM.)

Summary of Bankruptcy Law Effective 10-17-05 - PDF, 18.1KB, 1 page

Position Paper on Bankruptcy

This is an excellent church position paper on bankruptcy used at Perimeter Church in Duluth, GA.

Supplement for "Debt Reduction" - Workshop Content

In Session 5, after completing the Debt Repayment example in the content and before the video, you may want to mention that recent Federal legislative pressure on Credit Card companies to help cardholders get out of debt sooner by increasing the amount of the minimum monthly payment is causing some companies to raise the minimum to 3% and 4% of the outstanding balance. HERE is an example to print and review with your workshop participant's, and HERE are PowerPoint slides of this example.

Credit Card Math

Here is an interesting chart of total interest cost, based on minimum monthly payment and percent interest charged on a $5,000 credit card balance.

Counselor Training and Development - PDF, 81.3KM, 1 page

A list of suggestions for ongoing training, encouragement and further skill development for counselors.

Counselor Training - Thoughts Regarding "Green" Cases - PDF,  60.3KB, 1 pg
As increasing numbers of churches institute Good $ense financial counseling ministries, the ministry may wish to offer counseling to "green cases" as well as red. This would serve such people as those who have received a financial windfall (inheritance, significant increase in salary, etc.), or who have substancial means and through the G$ teaching wish to have trustworthy, biblically based counsel on how to deal with their discretionary resources. These thoughts may be helpful to you as your ministry moves in this direction.

Consumer Debt Reduction Calculator – MS Excel, 33KB, or (Spanish Version) - MS Excel, 33KB
The spreadsheet to calculate pay-off dates for the Debt Reduction Plan referenced on Pgs. 242-244 and 393 in the Counselor Training Leader's Guide; and Pgs. 87-89 and 217 of the Counselor Training Participant's Guide is available here.

Counselor Electronic Reports
We have received electronic versions of the Client Progress Report (PDF, 6 KB, 1 page) and Case Completion Report (PDF, 7 KB, 2 pages) from John Foerster of Elmbrook Church, a WCA member church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. We are making these available for Good $ense counselors who would find it helpful to forward the reports electronically to their Good $ense administrator. Additionally, John also created a spreadsheet for various sections of the Client Profile (MS Excel, 25 KB, 2 worksheets). Thanks, John!

Financial Service Providers - MS Word, 41.5KB
This five-page document contains the following assistance should you decide to provide a referral list of financial service providers: 1) Release Form - a sample form to edit and use when receiving referral requests; 2) Sample Letter - a letter to edit and use when providing your referral list (we also recommend providing documents #4 and #5); 3) Financial Planner Referral List - a sample of information a referral list might contain; 4) Interview Outline - an form to use when interviewing a prospective Financial Planner; 5) Selection of a Financial Planner - some helpful thoughts to consider when choosing a Financial Planner.

Post-Death / Survivors Checklist – PDF, 88KB, 1 page
Downloadable checklist for assisting surviving family members.